YouTubeing it!

Okay, so I think everyone at this point in their life knows what YouTube is. The simple fact that you are online right now reading a blog about social media should indicate your knowledge of the existence of Youtube. Well, in case you have been under a rock for the past few years, here is a brief description. YouTube is a website that allows for user generated video content to be uploaded free of charge for the whole world to see. Additionally, channels can be created that centralize the content for specific audiences looking for content on certain subjects.
My favorite use of YouTube, other than the how-to-videos, is the old sports footage that is there. I am able to get online and watch old games and highlights of my favorite teams free of charge. This has created many issues with copyright infringement over the past couple years. In fact, some television organizations have totally banned any of their footage from being uploaded. I recall about a year ago when I went online to watch some videos and some of the ones I had watched before had been removed.
A section of YouTube that I think it less publicized or marketed than others is the community aspect of YouTube. People have started video blogging and responding to video blogs in a widespread fashion. In fact, I watched a YouTube video the other day that had 21,000 responses to one video blog. Statistics like this help emphasize the cultural impact of YouTube. Being able to see and hear complete strangers has opened avenues of friendship for people that may have struggled for such in other forums. Additionally, communities created on YouTube can look to channels, as I said earlier, to centralize the type of information they want to hear.
I know that a major problem facing Youtube is the pornography industry. I recently read a newspaper article that told the story of an underage girl who was molested by a 30 year old male who watched her "sexy" videos on YouTube. Yes, YouTube does make you establish your age; however, that can easily be bypassed by simply lieing. Also, YouTube does a fairly good job of monitoring the site but due to the immense amount of videos on the site it makes it difficult to govern.
Basically, YouTube has taken over the world of "stream". Celebrities, politicians, average Joe's and even Jon-Marc Larson use YouTube as a means of entertainment, education and sociability. So, all i have left to say is BROADCAST YOURSELF!!!!

I know this is cheesy, but here is a video on YouTube about YouTube........


HERE is a link to YouTube's official channel!!!